Turner Syndrome

Turner Syndrome - Page Text Content

FC: Turner Syndrome

1: The start of Turner Syndrome

2: Turner syndrome, a condition that affects only girls and women, results from a missing or incomplete sex chromosome. Turner syndrome can cause a variety of medical and developmental problems, including short stature, failure to begin puberty, infertility, heart defects and certain learning disabilities.

3: Turner syndrome may be diagnosed during infancy or early childhood. But, sometimes diagnosis is delayed in adolescent girls or young women with mild signs and symptoms of Turner syndrome.

4: The point in life when Turner syndrome is diagnosed will depend on the severity of the condition. A diagnosis of Turner syndrome can be made during prenatal testing. Girls with several Turner syndrome features may be diagnosed during infancy or early childhood. For women with milder Turner syndrome, a diagnosis may occur later in life.

5: Growth hormone may help a child with Turner syndrome grow taller. Estrogen replacement therapy is often started when the girl is 12 or 13 years old. This helps trigger the growth of breasts, pubic hair, and other sexual characteristics.

6: A combination of the following symptoms may be seen in older females: Absent or incomplete development at puberty, including sparse pubic hair and small breasts, Broad, flat chest shaped like a shield, Drooping eyelids,Dry eyes, Infertility,No periods (absent menstruation) Short height,Vaginal dryness, can lead to painful intercourse.

7: The normal amount of human chromosomes is 46. Chromosomes contain all of your genes and DNA, the building blocks of the body. Two of these chromosomes, the sex chromosomes, determine if you become a boy or a girl. Females normally have two of the same sex chromosomes, written as XX. Males have an X and a Y chromosome (written as XY).